Rivers in Montana
Clark Fork River above Missoula
Below flood stage
2.72ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 4:00 PM MDT
- Flood stage
- 7.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 2.71 ftTue, Sep 22, 6:00 PM MDT
- Record crest
- 17.40 ft1908
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 13.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 11.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 7.50 ft |
| Action | 7.00 ft |
- 13.00 ftWide spread flooding from East Missoula to the Bitterroot River is possible. Flood prone areas include, Streets and homes in the lower South Third Street area. Extensive flooding in the Orchard Homes area continues.
- 12.00 ftFlood waters are now flooding numerous streets and homes in the Orchard Homes area. The following streets are being flooded, Kehrwald Drive, Channel Drive, Tower Street, Nancy Lou Drive, Keck Street and Stone Street. Flood water may also flood the southern end of Schmidt Road which is adjacent to the Clark Fork River.
- 11.00 ftFlooding from the Clark Fork River is impacting the Orchard Homes residential area. Flood waters are now flooding Tower Street, Kehrwald Drive and Channel Drive with 10 to 15 homes being flooded.
- 8.00 ftFlooding of low lying areas adjacent to the river is possible. Flood waters begin to flood streets in the Orchard Homes area, specifically the north end of Tower Street including Kehrwald Drive.
- 7.50 ftFlooding of low lying areas adjacent to the river is possible. Flood waters begin to flood streets in the Orchard Homes area, specifically the north end of Tower Street including Kehrwald Drive.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.
Crest history
40 crests on NOAA’s list since 1908.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 1, 1908 | 17.40 ft |
| 2 | May 11, 2018 | 13.82 ft |
| 3 | June 21, 1975 | 13.75 ft |
| 4 | May 24, 1981 | 13.38 ft |
| 5 | June 10, 1964 | 13.35 ft |
| 6 | May 23, 1948 | 13.07 ft |
| 7 | June 9, 2011 | 12.72 ft |
| 8 | May 18, 1997 | 12.60 ft |
| 9 | June 4, 1953 | 12.34 ft |
| 10 | June 1, 1972 | 12.27 ft |
| 11 | May 15, 1976 | 12.00 ft |
| 12 | May 9, 1947 | 11.10 ft |
| 13 | June 17, 1974 | 10.68 ft |
| 14 | June 3, 1967 | 10.67 ft |
| 15 | May 21, 2020 | 10.53 ft |
| 16 | June 7, 1959 | 10.34 ft |
| 17 | June 17, 1982 | 10.31 ft |
| 18 | May 23, 1956 | 10.27 ft |
| 19 | May 14, 1971 | 10.14 ft |
| 20 | May 15, 1951 | 10.04 ft |
| 21 | May 27, 1980 | 10.03 ft |
| 22 | May 30, 1938 | 10.01 ft |
| 23 | June 10, 1996 | 9.94 ft |
| 24 | June 2, 1933 | 9.90 ft |
| 25 | June 19, 1950 | 9.87 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 1, 2026: 7.07 ft
- May 12, 2025: 5.62 ft
- June 5, 2021: 8.13 ft
- May 21, 2020: 10.53 ft
- May 18, 2019: 9.13 ft
- May 11, 2018: 13.82 ft
- June 14, 2017: 9.07 ft
- April 27, 2012: 9.70 ft
- June 9, 2011: 12.72 ft
- May 31, 2009: 9.49 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Northwest River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.